Blessed

The last post, Clarity, ended with Proverbs 3:13-18, which begins and ends with the word "blessed."

Have you ever considered what it means to be blessed?

• Is it wealth?
• Is it occupational?
• Is it material?
• Is it health?
• Is it abundance?

For many Christians it is all of these things, but I truly see it as something different. You see, these are all products of something special -- something greater -- something wonderful -- something meaningful.

Blessed is how God views me...

How fulfilling it is to realize my submission to God and His ways is pleasing to Him. He looks at my heart and knows my motives and my purposes. Can you think of anything more wonderful than that?

• Yes, I have a wonderful family
• Yes, I have abundance
• Yes, I have provision
• Yes, I have a fantastic job

But, these are secondary to my main point...God is pleased with me even though I am still a work in progress. As my sanctification continues, I hold steadfast to the knowledge that God views me as special and cares for me in every way. Yet, I know this is not a product of my actions...

• No, it is not my tithe
• No, it is not my prayer
• No, it is not my service
• No, it is not my knowledge

Psalm 3:5-6 sums-up my part in being blessed...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Be Blessed

Clarity

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)

In reading the comments from the last post, Wisdom, we all agree that godly wisdom is the desire of our hearts and the key to receiving that wisdom is the Holy Spirit. So, what is it we see that many fail to recognize and act upon?

Before identifying the attributes of godly wisdom, James, in 3:14-16, provides key insight to the fallible nature of man’s wisdom: bitterness, jealousy and ambiguity. Notice the inward focus of man’s wisdom. When I think about it, I alter the knowledge I attain because of my bias, my needs, my wants, my position, my…my…my…

You get the point…

Now, don’t take what I’m saying out of context. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 2:13, tells us “wisdom [man’s] is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.” I agree with that statement. The wisdom obtained through academic pursuits and life experiences are much more powerful than that of ignorance and the willful disregard of learning. In fact, a simple definition of folly is foolishness.

Yet, if we take Solomon’s statement juxtaposed with that of James’s statement, we see the clarity of our position.

Godly wisdom produces character rich qualities for those that operate in it: peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Man’s wisdom is more about the individual and image than anything else: envy, ambition, disorder and evil practices. What a difference! Godly wisdom changes us internally and is identified by good works (fruits), whereas man’s wisdom opens a wide range of corruptible consequences.

Let me leave you with Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed."

Notice how the scriptures start and end – Blessed

Be Blessed